The bulldozer takes on one of the Viveash site’s biggest wandoo trees.
Camera IconThe bulldozer takes on one of the Viveash site’s biggest wandoo trees. Credit: Supplied/J Bianchini

Wandoo trees bulldozed for Pindan housing development in Viveash

Justin BianchiniMidland Kalamunda Reporter

VIVEASH residents said today “we tried but failed” as a bulldozer pushed over old white gums they wanted saved from a residential subdivision.

The eucalyptus wandoo removal came after developer Pindan came under criticism late last year for starting to clear the bushland that once served as a buffer between Viveash and the neighbouring brickworks.

Devastated residents Melinda Brackley and Shannon Astill photographed the clearing today near the corner of Stewartby Crescent and Trent Street.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

“We tried so hard, Mel has just worked so hard and the City of Swan even agreed with us to a certain point but the WA Planning Commission said ‘don’t worry about it’, it doesn’t mean enough,” Mrs Astill said.

“Money has won out in the end; we just feel like residents are not listened to.”

As the Reporter revealed in December, the bushland, identified as protected in the City of Swan’s biodiversity strategy, was approved for subdivision in 1968 but left uncleared until now.

Pindan said last year an independent environmental assessment had “found nothing of significance should clearing be required”.

“Given that the lots are all individually titled, there is no statutory requirement for consultation to carry out civil works,” a Pindan spokeswoman said.